Hard though it is to believe with the piles of snow around us, it is time to plan for the annual spring migration of frogs, toads, and the very occasional salamander across Hollow Road near Horseshoe Trail. Hollow Road will be closed one or two evenings this late winter or early spring to protect the amphibians and the volunteers during the migration. As always, we don't know for sure which day it will happen, but to find out, contact the Township. If you are interested in volunteering, contact .

With the West Vincent Township Trail Plan taking shape, it is our hope to have at least part of the township network mapped and available on the website by spring. But, you ask, how are we to find those trails? By blazing them with a logo created by you!

The township will host a Trail Blazing Logo Contest in conjunction with Community Day 2015. Please submit your designs to Tammy Swavely in the Township office, 729 St. Matthews Road, Chester Springs, by April 15 to give our panel of judges time to pick a winner by May 9. The Horse-Shoe Trail uses bright yellow paint to mark their route, so our logo must be distinctively different. The prize winner will also receive a $100 gift card to the Walking Store in King of Prussia.

Creativity counts! Designs should be no larger than 6" in height and 3" in width and should convey the spirit of our rural township.

Once we have our design, it will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval. Then we will need volunteers to blaze the trails and help maintain them. We're looking forward to this exciting new chapter in our history of trail protection in West Vincent.

Chester County has recently completed the draft version of our county-wide hazard mitigation plan. The mitigation plan aims to reduce the impacts from future disasters by outlining actions that can be taken now, before the emergency begins. We are looking for your input and local knowledge to aid us in ensuring that we have covered the concerns of the community in this plan.

The plan is broken into two sections. The first is an overview of the hazards facing the county and the county-wide hazard mitigation actions. The second half focuses on the hazards and mitigation actions specific to each municipality, with two to three pages per municipality. We have a draft version of the plan and a comment form available online for your review at www.ReadyChesco.org as well as hard copies available at the 18 libraries throughout the county. We will be accepting comments on the plan through March 1st.

It's that time of year again. Your 2014 local earned income tax return is due on April 15.

Did you know the quickest way to get your refund is to file online? If you live and work in Pennsylvania, you can e-file on our tax administrator's secure website, which is available 24/7 at www.KeystoneCollects.com.

Keystone Collections Group's e-file is the easy, fast and secure way to file your 2014 tax return. It lets you file your tax return when it is most convenient for you. You will need your W-2, your Social Security Number and any other income documents that may apply (such as a PA-UE or a Schedule C).

Please note that the forms changed this year. If you will be claiming an out-of-state tax credit or if you work in Philadelphia, you may be eligible for a local earned income tax credit up to the amount you owe to your resident municipality. The worksheet on the back of the form will help you calculate your out-of-state tax credit (attach a copy of your out-of-state filing).

If you have questions regarding local tax filing, call Keystone's Taxpayer Helpline at 1-888-328-0565 to speak with a local, knowledgeable Taxpayer Service Agent. You can also email your questions to "Taxpayer Support" at www.KeystoneCollects.com.

Taxpayers with earned income in 2014 are required to file a tax return by Wednesday, April 15.